Federal Government directs contractor to curb flooding of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The Federal Government yesterday explained that the flooding of portions of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was caused by structures built on water channels by some companies along the road opposite the Mountain Top University (MFM) in Ogun State.

And to curb the menace, it directed the contractor handling the flooded portion to provide more palliatives to reduce the difficulties caused to motorists by the development.

A statement by Mr. Hakeem Bello, Special Adviser to the Minister of Work, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, named the structures blocking the channels to include those built by Hi-Impact Hotel and Parks and Buildwell Plants and Equipment Company, as well as various warehouses.

It said the flooding at the portion became severe because the various structures had blocked the water channels through which runoffs were to flow away from the road, adding that the water retention spot of the whole area had been blocked off by building on the wet zones.

The statement explained that these built up locations were the drainage basins where surface runoff was directed when the road was constructed about 40 years ago.

According to the statement, the flooding has also been accentuated by the fact that some of the communities in the area discharge their runoffs to the road where drains are yet to be provided, adding that the rains have also been unusually heavy in the past few days, thereby undermining the palliative efforts recently done by the contractor.